DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i01.010

Pages: 61-66

Elevated Intra-ocular Pressure (IOP) is one of the major risk factors for developing glaucoma or glaucomatous optic neuropathy and its progression. Glaucoma is a common ophthalmic disease in India and worldwide and it is a significant cause of visual impairment and blindness. Blindness leads not only to a reduced economical and social status, but it may also result in premature death. Hence, this work was undertaken to study the relationship between IOP and Blood Pressure (BP), so that the prediction of ocular hypertension and its consequences could be forecasted by using more common systemic parameters, i.e., BP.300 apparently healthy subjects who were aged between 21 - 60 years were examined to find out the relationship between IOP and BP. The BP was recorded with the subjects in the supine position. The IOP was recorded by using Schiotz’s tonometer. The IOP was found to increase with age in both men and women and it was statistically significant. The systolic BP and the diastolic BP were positively and significantly correlated with the IOP.As a person’s IOP increases along with his/her BP; the subjects with hypertension should be monitored for ocular hypertension. Advancing age was positively associated with the IOP. Hence, in older people, screening needs to be done for high IOP. By symmetry, persons with an elevated IOP suggest that periodic BP monitoring may be indicated for these patients. Hence, a population based screening for elevated IOP and its control could reduce the number of people who are at the greatest risk of glaucoma, which is the second commonest cause for blindness and visual impairment in India and also worldwide.